Chess Puzzle #2P1Vk — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 755 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short.

Position

White: king h1; queen e6; rook e1; bishop b2; pawns a3/b4/e5/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen f2; rooks c1/f8; pawns a6/b7/d5/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxc1 — rook e1→c1, captures rook. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qf1+ — queen f2→f1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf1 (rook c1→f1, captures queen).
  3. Best move: Rxf1# — rook f8→f1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rxf1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5r1k/1p4p1/p3Q2p/3pP3/1P6/P7/1B3qPP/2r1R2K w - - 0 28

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Puzzle data from the Lichess puzzle database (CC0). Analysis powered by Stockfish 18 in your browser.